Bank Street Brewhouse today: Josh, Tony, football, beer and musical analogies.

I caught up with NABC's production brewer Josh Hill the other day. He's on duty at Bank Street Brewhouse -- excited, dialed-in, and ready to go forward now that David Pierce is back at BBC St. Matthews, where interesting things also will be happening, including the installation of a new brewhouse after 22 years.

It so happens that I'm a fan of the rock group Dee Purple. The band has been functioning since the late 1960s, and has continued to make new music and tour constantly through many personnel changes. These different lineups of musicians are referred to by Deep Purple fans as Mark I, II, and so on, up to the current Mark VIII, of which drummer Ian Paice is the only remaining member from Mark I.

The point is that Deep Purple has remained demonstrably Deep Purple. Having singer Ian Gillan (originally in Mark II) on hand certainly helps, but whatever musical quality defines Deep Purpleness, it's still there. The most recent album in 2013 was my favorite of the entire year.

Consequently, for better, worse, or anywhere in between, there's a aspect of "NABCness" that always remains, even when vital cogs come and go. Part of this has to do with me, another part with David (and so many other folks who've helped shape the company), but still only a part from each player.

Aristotle wrote, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." India Pale Ale didn't even exist then, and I think he was absolutely right.

Today at Bank Street Brewhouse, Josh and Tony "NABC Graphics Wizard" Beard will be on hand to watch their football teams play. As Tony put it on Facebook:

(Today) the world will be shattered as two titans of the industry duke it out as they sit on bar stools and yell at a television screen. It will be a glorifying 4 hours of witness, I hope you'll join us. If you're lucky I might be whiskey bent for the first kickoff!

There'll be dollar-off pints all day, and the usual Sunday growler fills, which as you know are exclusive to Indiana breweries, and the only Sunday carry-out beer anywhere in the state.

Stop in, chat with these guys and get to know the next generation. I've found beer to be the most effective way to smooth transitions.

David Pierce has returned to BBC St. Matthews, and Josh Hill is now head brewer at Bank Street Brewhouse.

The transitions continue at NABC with David Pierce's departure, completing the circle back to Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville (St. Matthews). David opened the BBC brewery in 1993.

Josh Hill becomes the brewer of record at Bank Street Brewhouse, while Ben Minton continues to man the mash paddle at the Pizzeria & Public House. They both know what they're doing, having learned from the best.

Roger (that's me) is running for mayor of New Albany and trying to finish his latest Food & Dining column submission for Mr. White. As for these changes of late, baseball aficionados will understand: I'm an Oakland A's fan, and In Beane We Trust. Personnel moves are part of the business.

As for me, I could write a book. Maybe I will. The past two weeks have been crazily cosmic: Kate's and Amy's family business is going back to being just that. Josh has returned to NABC, and David to BBC. Meanwhile, I'm up on the heath with Lear, studying a soaked road map. An election in November will help determine my destiny. Not to mention our former longtime bartender Stephen Powell, who has reinvented street food in downtown New Albany.

The weird thing about it is this: If you don't know me personally, you probably think I'm a pessimist, solely because I'm better at channeling bile than defining affection. But a cynic is a closet optimist, and I think it's all going to turn out well for everyone involved, and for the company itself.

Renewal fever: Catch it!

Ancient Rage returns to the Bank Street Brewhouse draft lineup.

The way it ought to be: A Friday in August cool enough to open the garage doors at BSB, and for me to wear a black t-shirt with no fear of sweating straight through it ... the Panama hat that Larry Schad gave me, now the official campaign hat ... Ancient Rage (barrel-aged IPA) back on tap, and me perfectly willing to have one with lunch in spite of my session proclivities because Josh Hill is back, and willing to serve me one.

Brewery badass Josh Hill returns to NABC.

He said so on Facebook.

Reading between lines, it appears Josh will be in sales. I've been on leave of absence to campaign for mayor of New Albany as an independent candidate, and as the good Sgt. Schultz would say, "I know nothing."

(Except that I'm a tremendous fan of Josh Hill, and delighted to see him back on duty.)

Josh Hill departs Floyd County Brewing Company.

Josh Hill is good people. He worked for NABC for a very long time, and fully earned his sobriquet of "Brewery Badass." No one works harder or is more reliable, and when he had the chance to take the head brewer position at the Floyd County Brewing Company start-up just down the street, I hated to lose him -- and was delighted for him.

They all leave the nest sooner or later, I guess.

Yesterday Josh made this announcement at Facebook. It's all I know at this point, so don't ask.

I am officially leaving my position as Head Brewer at Floyd County Brewing Co. I won't go over the details of why I came to this decision, but it has been made. I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragment during this process and I apologize that things didn't turn out as expected. I'm going to take a little time to relax and collect myself and then hit the job market. Cheers!

Strange timing, indeed. FCBC has not even opened. Ironically, I learned of Josh's departure while concluding a wonderful chat with Rob Caputo, whose position at Flat12 these past months is ... shall we say, complicated?

Of course, I'm on leave of absence from NABC, and my position in my own company is ... shall we repeat, complicated?

Forks in the road seem to be numerous, and given the recent rains in Indiana, often flooded, so as everyone consults their maps, permit me to with the very best to Josh and Rob. There are many untested entities in the "craft" beer world, but these two have a great track record.

Me?

I'll settle for being mayor.

Floyd County Brewing Company (in New Albany) is getting closer to opening.

Floyd County Brewing Company continues to progress toward a summer opening.

The brewer is former NABC brewery bad-ass Josh Hill (pictured), and I'm still experiencing mixed emotions in his absence from NABC. I'm simultaneously delighted for him, and wishing he still was on board at my place.

But they all leave the nest eventually, don't they?

FCBC is located in the heart of downtown New Albany on the southwest corner of Main and W. 1st Streets. It's already a busy intersection, and it can only get more highly populated. The YMCA is adjacent, and across the street there's The Exchange pub + kitchen (which currently is building new patio space) and Seeds & Greens Natural Market & Deli.

Previously I've devoted space at my civic affairs blog to noting just how busy this area will be, and the for pressing need to get the intersection equipped with crosswalks or whatever other traffic slowing mechanisms might make it friendlier for people, as opposed to their cars. Customers are going to walk across the street in all directions, and right now, this isn't always safe.

Must we wait for a traffic study to slow traffic and put crosswalks at the corner of Main and W. 1st?

I've served notice to Josh that there needs to be a good Ordinary Bitter on tap for his former employer.

CHECK OUT THOSE HOPS: Floyd County Brewing bringing fun, food and craft beer to New Albany, by Daniel Suddeath (News and Tribune)

NEW ALBANY — The recent revitalization of downtown has often been referred to as New Albany’s renaissance; however, one brewery and restaurant is taking the medieval theme to heart.

From the giant turkey legs on the menu, to the clever “Floyd” character who serves as a sort of mascot for the establishment, Floyd County Brewing Co. seeks to offer a light-hearted alternative to the craft beer invasion that has swept through Indiana and the nation in recent years.

Sure, owners Brian and Julie Hampton, and Master Brewer Josh Hill believe their beer and food will be taken quite seriously, but they want to have some fun along the way.

“I hope it almost feels like you’re walking onto the set of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail,'” Brian Hampton said.

Josh Hill at the Indiana Microbrewers Festival.

Two appreciative fans succumb to the considerable charms of the Brewery Badass at last Saturday's Indiana Microbrewers Festival in Indianapolis.

We have some new used kegs.

More on bottles and the "J" team.

Photos of the crew can be viewed here: Bottles up, by Kevin McGloshen (News and Tribune). As you can see, there's nothing much automated (or glamorous) about small-time bottling.

Meet the workers: Josh Hill you probably already know, and perhaps recently designated brewery tech Jeremy Kennedy, too; Jesse Jacobsen has been doing some part-time "intern" work assisting Jared Williamson at the original NABC brewhouse.

Thanks to their labors, we're getting bottles out the door.

Bank Street Brewhouse bids a fond farewell to Chef Joshua Lehman …

... and other comings and goings at NABC, by Roger A. Baylor, co-owner and carnival barker.

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
--Robert C. Gallagher

In the interest of keeping our friends, customers and followers fully informed about our progress in building a business, the New Albanian Brewing Company announces the following personnel comings and goings.

First, Joe Phillips, general manager at Bank Street Brewhouse offers a goodbye and two hellos (well, sort of).

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“Bank Street Brewhouse would like to express our best wishes to Chef Joshua Lehman, who soon will be departing NABC to pursue new adventures on the Louisville culinary circuit. His last day is Sunday, April 3. We’ve been happy to play a part in his dream of becoming an executive chef by the age of 30. Good luck, Josh!

“Our goals at Bank Street Brewhouse have not changed: We will continue to focus on growth, quality, and consistency with Chef Matthew Weirich, Sous Chef Bernie Collier and staff. You can look forward to many good things to come from your local brewery and downtown dining emporium.”

Joe Phillips, General Manager

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Speaking personally, and as old timer who remembers when Josh Lehman was born, I cannot thank him enough for proving conclusively that downtown New Albany can support finer dining, and by extension, illustrating in broader terms that fine dining with a craft beer underpinning (and not an extensive wine list) is a viable proposition financially as well as artistically.

Matt and Bernie are ready, eager and capable to step out from roles as understudies and continue the tradition of excellence established by Chef Josh. Thanks to both of them for their hard work, as well as to the extended kitchen staff.

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As an addendum, permit me to report these changes in the NABC brewery and on the NABC sales front.

Richard Atnip is NABC’s new sales manager for all of Indiana and Kentucky. Josh Hill has moved from Louisville sales into the two NABC breweries full-time as cellarman, responsible for duties including the bomber bottling at Bank Street Brewhouse and other matters as directed by director of brewing operations David Pierce, while also assisting brewer Jared Williamson at our Pizzeria & Public House brewery location.

Josh fills the now refashioned position recently vacated by Jesse Williams. Thanks to Jesse for all his contributions while at NABC.

Also, longtime NABC employee Jeremy Kennedy is moving into a technical support role, with responsibilities to include draft line cleaning, delivery, bottling and anything else that comes up. Eric Gray and Ben Minton remain on the job as beer managers at the Pizzeria and Public House. We’re in the final stages of reformatting the beer program there, so look for the new bottled list to be launched in early April.

RAB

Passing of the sales baton at NABC.

Examples of inspiration in transition include Season Four of M*A*S*H, AC-DC's Back in Black, and Rick Sutcliffe's 16-1 record down the stretch for the Cubs in 1984.

The 4077th welcomed both a new doctor and camp commander, and the series lasted three times longer than the real-life war. The rock group honored Bon Scott's passing with a classic album, and had a hit album just last year.

And, Chicago made the playoffs, even though they lost to San Diego. It is my intention to leave goat-laden curses out of this one.

Our new NABC sales rep for Louisville and Southern Indiana is Josh Hill, who has worked with us for several years, and recently has been selling NABC beers to accounts on the Indiana side of the Ohio.

We wish the best to John Campbell as he departs on a new course. John's loyalty and hard work have been instrumental in bringing us to this place. I'd make an analogy with Che leaving for Bolivia, except that he failed, and I know John won't. But if it feels like just such a chapter closing, I know that when our paths cross in the future, there'll be beers and cigars all around.

I'm confident that Josh will pick up where John left off. Overall, we at NABC are blessed to have passionate beer loving people to fight against the scourge of swill. Parting may be sweet sorrow, but partying isn't ... and the battle rages on.

Selling beer.

It is axiomatic, isn't it? One must sell the product, or all the production in the world is meaningless. It strikes me that I haven't introduced Josh Hill, who is NABC's junior outside sales representative on the Indiana side of the Ohio River. Josh is concentrating primarily on making friends and finding draft lines on Floyd and Clark counties, although we'll be broadening that to include a bit of territory to the east and west. John Campbell's still working the Louisville side (via River City Distributing).

The idea remains to self-distribute in Floyd and Clark counties, while Cavalier Distributing service the remainder of the state. Our first keg shipment went to Cavalier earlier this week, so if you're pub owner or beer fan outside of our limited southern self-distribution area, know that Beak's Best, Bob's 15-B and Elector are available. If you like our beers, the best way to help is ask your local to check out Cavalier's line of NABC drafts.

Our sales effort is evolving, so for further information, contacts and a sales pitch, write me or Josh.